Then David crossed to the other side
David's strategic movement to the other side highlights his tactical acumen and desire to avoid unnecessary conflict. This action reflects his wisdom in dealing with Saul, as he seeks to maintain peace while ensuring his own safety. The crossing signifies a transition, both physically and spiritually, as David continues to trust in God's protection and guidance.

and stood atop the mountain
Mountains in biblical narratives often symbolize places of revelation, refuge, and divine encounter. David's position atop the mountain signifies a place of safety and oversight, allowing him to communicate with Saul from a secure vantage point. This imagery can be connected to other biblical figures who sought God on mountains, such as Moses on Mount Sinai.

at a distance
The distance between David and Saul underscores the tension and separation in their relationship. It reflects the physical and emotional gap caused by Saul's pursuit of David. This distance also serves as a protective measure, ensuring that David remains out of reach from Saul's immediate threat.

there was a wide gulf between them
The wide gulf symbolizes the deep division and conflict between David and Saul. It represents not only the physical space but also the spiritual and relational chasm that has developed due to Saul's jealousy and disobedience to God. This separation can be seen as a metaphor for the broader theme of division between those who follow God's will and those who oppose it.

1. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by God, who is currently fleeing from King Saul. David is known for his faithfulness to God and his respect for God's anointed king, Saul, despite Saul's pursuit to kill him.

2. Saul
The first king of Israel, who has fallen out of favor with God due to his disobedience. Saul is pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne.

3. The Mountain
Represents a place of safety and strategic advantage for David. It symbolizes separation and protection from Saul's forces.

4. The Wide Space
This physical distance between David and Saul's camp signifies the moral and spiritual distance David maintains from Saul's unjust actions.

5. The Camp of Saul
Represents the threat and opposition David faces. It is a place of hostility, yet David chooses not to harm Saul, demonstrating his integrity and trust in God's timing.Trust in God's Timing
David's restraint in not harming Saul, despite having the opportunity, teaches us to trust in God's timing and justice rather than taking matters into our own hands.

Maintaining Integrity
David's decision to keep a wide space between himself and Saul's camp symbolizes maintaining moral integrity and not compromising one's values even under pressure.

Respect for Authority
David's respect for Saul as God's anointed king, despite Saul's failings, reminds us of the importance of respecting authority while trusting God to deal with their shortcomings.

Strategic Retreat
Sometimes, creating distance from a harmful situation or person is necessary for safety and clarity. David's retreat to the mountain is a strategic move that can be applied to our lives when facing conflict.

Faith Over Fear
David's actions demonstrate a faith that overcomes fear. By standing on the mountain, he shows confidence in God's protection and plan, encouraging us to stand firm in faith amidst trials.Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 26

How could David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and take his spear and water jug unnoticed by 3,000 soldiers? (1 Samuel 26:7-12)

Who was high priest when David went into the House of GOD and ate the consecrated bread? Abiathar (Mark 2:26) Ahimelech, the father of Abiathar (I Samuel 1:1; 22:20)

Why does 1 Chronicles 18:12 credit Abishai with killing 18,000 Edomites, while 2 Samuel 8:13 attributes the same victory to David?

Who was high priest when David ate the showbread? (Mark 2:26 vs. 1 Samuel 21:1)(13) David went over to the other side.--That is to say, after taking the royal spear and cruse of water from beside the sleeping king, David with Abishai left the camp of Saul, then, crossing the deep ravine, re-ascended the opposite hill or mountain--there was then a deep gorge between him and the camp--and uttered his shrill cry, which awoke the sleeping sentinel, who seems at once to have roused Abner. Keil calls attention here to the special notice in the text that the mountain whence David spoke was afar off, not, as we should say, "as the crow flies," but afar, because a deep steep ravine lay between the camp of Saul and the hill on which David and Abishai stood. "On the previous occasion when, in the cave of En-gedi, the son of Jesse cut off the skirt of the royal garment, David fearlessly cried to Saul when the king was still evidently quite close to the cave. Now, however, he seems to have reckoned far less upon any change in the state of Saul's mind than he had done before . . . in fact, he rather feared lest Saul should endeavour to get him into his power as soon as he woke from his sleep."

Verses 13-16. - The top of a hill. Hebrew, "the top of the hill," the particular mountain from which David had reconnoitred Saul's camp (ver. 5). A great space being between them. At En-gedi Saul was alone, and had placed himself in David's power; he therefore had followed him closely. Here Saul had his army round him, and David had entered his camp by stealth. It is not, therefore, till he had placed an ample interval between them that he calls to Abner, and asks in derision, Art thou not a man? The irony is enfeebled by the insertion of the word valiant (comp. 1 Samuel 4:9). No special valour was needed;any one worthy of the name of man ought to have guarded his master better. Who is like to thee - Hebrew, "who is as thou" - in Israel? Among all Saul's subjects there was no one so powerful and highly placed as the commander-in-chief, and he ought to have shown himself worthy of his pre-eminence. Justly, therefore, for neglecting his duty and exposing the king to danger, he and his people were worthy to die. Hebrew, "sons of death" (see on 1 Samuel 20:31). Finally David bids him search for the king's spear and water bottle, that he may understand how completely Saul had been in his power. It has been suggested that Abner was probably a personal enemy of David, with whom he could never have held the high position which he occupied with his near relative Saul. Possibly instead of dissuading Saul from persecuting David, he stirred up his ill feelings. Still absolutely there is nothing in this banter which was not justified by Abner's official position.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then David
דָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

crossed
וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to the other side
הָעֵ֔בֶר (hā·‘ê·ḇer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

and stood
וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

atop
רֹאשׁ־ (rōš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

the mountain
הָהָ֖ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

at a distance—
מֵֽרָחֹ֑ק (mê·rā·ḥōq)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

there was a wide
רַ֥ב (raḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

gulf
הַמָּק֖וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

between them.
בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ (bê·nê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 996: An interval, space between


1 Samuel 26:13 NIV
1 Samuel 26:13 NLT
1 Samuel 26:13 ESV
1 Samuel 26:13 NASB
1 Samuel 26:13 KJV

1 Samuel 26:13 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 26:13 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 26:13 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 26:13 French Bible
1 Samuel 26:13 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 26:13 Then David went over to the other (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)